JavaScript must be enabled in order for you to use this site. However, it seems JavaScript is either disabled or not supported by your browser. Enable JavaScript by changing your browser options, and then try again.

"Protective equipment including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers shall be provided, used and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact." (29 CFR 1910.132(a))

Employers must ensure that each affected employee uses eye protection that provides side protection when there is a hazard from flying objects. Detachable side protectors (e.g. clip-on or slide-on sideshields) meeting the pertinent requirements of this section are acceptable.

Employers must ensure that each affected employee who wears prescription lenses while engaged in operations that involve eye hazards wears eye protection that incorporates the prescription in its design, or wears eye protection that can be worn over the prescription lenses without disturbing the proper position of the prescription lenses or the protective lenses.

Employers must ensure that each affected employee uses equipment with filter lenses that have a shade number appropriate for the work being performed for protection from injurious light radiation. (CFR) 1910.132, as determined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), lists general PPE requirements.

Criteria for Protective Eye & Face Devices

On Sept. 9, 2009 OSHA issued a Final Rule concerning 29 CFR (Part 1910 and others) that revised the personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements for eye and face protective devices, head protection and foot protection. The Final Rule incorporated the latest versions of national consensus and industry standards. Additionally, OSHA also announced its use of "direct final rule" to ensure that when standards change, the law is automatically updated.

Therefore, employers must comply with this Final Rule by using and providing for employees eyewear that are constructed in accordance with any of the last three American National Standards Institute (ANSI) national consensus standards or their proven equivalent:

ANSI Z87.1-1989 (R-1998), American National Standard Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection

ANSI Z87.1-2003, American National Standard for Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices

ANSI Z87.1-2010, American National Standard for Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices

NOTE: Even though "direct final rule" applies, the process to actually incorporate ANSI Z87.1-2010 into the federal law may take some time.

History of ANSI Z87.1

The first "standard" for head and eye protection dates back to 1922 with the first edition of the Z2 standard by the War and Navy Department and the National Bureau of Standards.

In 1968, the eye and face protection standard was published with the Z87 designation, Z87.1-1968. Since then Z87.1 has been revised four times – 1979, 1989, 2003 and 2010.

The purpose of this standard has remained the same – to provide minimum requirements for eye and face protective devices including selection, use and maintenance of the devices.

ANSI Z87.1 Key Changes

The 2003 editions and its predecessors are organized by the type of device. Each type of device has a "chapter" in the standard that describes the device, the required testing and optical properties and also establishes product marking PPE requirements.

The 2010 standard focuses on the hazards and is organized by the nature of the hazard – impact, optical radiation, droplet and splash, dust and fine dust and mist. This focus encourages users to evaluate the specific hazards that they are exposed to and to select appropriate protection based on that evaluation. Because of this change, required product markings have changed. Users will have to match the hazard that they need protection from with the marking on the device.

The 2003 versions and predecessors had no defined minimum coverage requirement. The 2010 version has a minimum frontal requirement and for impact rated devices, a lateral coverage requirement:

The frame front encircling one lens and lens must cover in plane view an area of not less than 40-millimeters (1.57-inches) in width and 33-millimeters (1.30 inches) in height (elliptical) in front of each eye.

Frames designed for small head sizes must cover in plane view an area of not less than 34-millimeters (1.34-inches) in width and 28-milliliters (1.10-inches) in height.

Impact rated protectors must provide continuous lateral coverage from the vertical plane of the lenses tangential to a point not less than 10-millimeters (0.394-inch) posterior to the corneal plane and not less than 10-millimeters (0.394-inch) in height [or 8-millimeters (0.315-inch) for small head sizes] above and not less than 10-millimeters (0.394-inch) in height [or 8-millimeters (0.315-inch) for small head sizes] below the horizontal plane.

The 2003 versions and its predecessors had no defined performance criteria for splash/droplet, dust or fine dust. The 2010 revision has specific performance and marking requirements for devices claiming to provide protection from splash/droplet, dust or fine dust hazards.

The 2010 revision eliminates the previous flammability test and replaces it with an ignition test which uses a hot steel rod to determine if the protector will ignite.

The 2003 versions and its predecessors use the "Alderson" head form for product testing. The 2010 revision adopts the European small and medium head form size for testing.

The 2010 version section on selection, use and maintenance has been revised to show recommended protectors for various types of work activities that can expose workers to impact, heat, chemical, dust or optical radiation hazards.

This newer version also addresses aftermarket components. All original equipment manufacturers and non-original equipment manufacturers aftermarket components not sold with the original device must be tested and assembled with the original complete device in the as-worn condition. For aftermarket side shields, the side shields must be tested on representative frames for which the product is specified to fit. Documentation listing all devices that the component or accessory has been tested and is approved for must be made available by the manufacturer. The entity claiming compliance of the component is responsible for testing the assembled device.

ANSI Z87.1 Markings

ANSI Z87.1-1989: Each lens must be distinctly marked with the manufacturer’s monogram. In addition, if applicable the lens must be marked with the appropriate shade and special purpose designation. All major spectacle components (front with bridge area, lens or lenses, temples and sideshields) except the lens or lenses, and all major goggle components must have a trademark identifying the manufacturer and must be marked "Z87" to indicate compliance with the standard.

ANSI Z87.1-2003: Two levels of protection are described – basic and high impact. Removable lenses must be marked with the manufacturer's monogram and basic impact lenses require no additional mark, but high impact lenses require a "+". Non-removable lenses must be marked with the manufacturer’s monogram and basic impact lenses must be marked "Z87" and high impact lenses must be marked "Z87+". If applicable the lenses must be marked with the appropriate shade and special purpose designation. Spectacles front, at least one temple and removable sideshields and goggles frame and lens housing or carrier must be marked with the manufacturer's monogram and "Z87 or Z87+". Non-removable lens products require only one marking – for spectacles the marking may be placed on the frame or temples and for goggles the marking may be applied to any component including the lens.

There will be a time lag before protective eyewear and the packaging with the new markings will be available. At present, there is NO "deadline" to mark, sell, or use products with these new Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements. Manufacturers are planning to manufacture, test and mark their protective devices in compliance with ANSI Z87.1-2010 and compliant products will be phased in as current inventory is depleted.

Q.

What should the lenses of my protective eyewear be made of?

A.

Most lenses are made from polycarbonate. This lightweight plastic absorbs 99% of UV light, can be purchased in welding shades and is highly impact-resistant.

Q.

I need safety glasses for work, but I already wear prescription eyewear. What are my options?

A.

Workers who wear prescription lenses must wear a pair of safety glasses that incorporate the prescription in its design, or wear safety glasses that can be worn over prescription lenses without disturbing the proper position of either.

ANSI Z87.1-1989, American National Standard for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection

ANSI Z87.1-2003, American National Standard for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection Devices

(Rev. 5/2014)

Find even more information you can use to help make informed decisions about the regulatory issues you face in your workplace every day. View all Quick Tips Technical Resources at www.grainger.com/quicktips.

Think Safety. Think Grainger.® Grainger has the products, services and resources to help keep employees safe and healthy while operating safer facilities. You’ll also find a network of safety resources that help you stay in compliance and protect employees from hazardous situations. Count on Grainger for lockout tagout, fall protection equipment, confined space products, safety signs, personal protective equipment (PPE), emergency response and so much more!

Please Note:The content in this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only. This publication is not a substitute for review of the applicable government regulations and standards, and should not be construed as legal advice or opinion. Readers with specific compliance questions should refer to the cited regulation or consult with an attorney.